Sarawak seeks extra funding for tackling poverty in three districts

from the Malaysia Times Online

Sarawak is seeking extra funding under the 9th Malaysia Plan to help it tackle poverty in three districts.

The amount is yet to be determined but the request will be made during the plan’s mid-term review, State Housing Minister Datuk Seri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.

The funds will be used to address rising urban poverty in the district of Kuching caused by the influx of people from the rural areas.

They will also be used to tackle hardcore poverty in the largely farming districts of Bau and Lundu.

The three districts of Kuching, Bau and Lundu are the most populated areas in the State.

Abang Johari said the extra funds are needed as the RM2 billion allocated to the three districts for the implementation of socioeconomic and infrastructure development projects under the 9MP are insufficient.

To illustrate his point, Abang Johari said 50 per cent of the allocation is for implementing housing projects. The RM2 billion allocation does not cover the costs of building the new State police headquarters in Petra Jaya and the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Sejingkat.